Kamaru Usman has sent a chilling warning to Conor McGregor: Fight me and you'll die.
The UFC welterweight champion - who successfully defended his belt against Colby Covington last weekend - was reacting to McGregor hinting at a challenge for the 170lb belt.
The Irishman must first take on Donald Cerrone in Las Vegas next month in his first fight since he was choked out by Khabib Nurmagomedov last year.
And Usman warned against the former featherweight and lightweight champion making a run at his belt.
"He must want to die," Usman said. “I mean like, what? He must want to die. This is not ’45, ’55.
"Like I will – you saw what Khabib (Nurmagomedov) did to him. Like, I’m – oh, my God. It wouldn’t even be fair if I fought Conor.
“Much respect to Conor for what he’s done for this sport and transcended it but nah, this ain't what you want.
"You just sit down, little man, sit down. Learn to walk before you can run because I would hurt that guy."
McGregor has also targeted a rematch with Nurmagomedov in 2020 and his stay at welterweight could be temporary.
“Conor is going to fight at 170 for this fight,” UFC president White explained to 101.6-FM in Washington.
"Mainly because he doesn’t want to have to cut the weight to 155. Him and Cerrone have both fought at 170.
“He’s hoping that he beats Cerrone and can turn right around and fight Khabib as quick as possible.
"So he didn’t want to make the cut twice.”
